The Dead Man's Waltz - New Album and Tour

The Dead Man's Waltz (a direct descendant of PSYBT-supported Injuns) are touring prior to the release of their first album.  More details on the website (Link). In the meantime, here's a taster.

Sometimes this job is just too perfect....

 A little trip to the North West on a fantastic Autumn day...

Networking Event for Private and Social Enterprises - 18 October 2011

Our friends at HISEZ are organising a Networking Lunch on 18th October in Lairg to bring together the social and private sector enterprises to introduce them to the support and opportunities on offer   - and also to demonstrate the common issues that the two sectors face in a rural community,

Here's the message from HISEZ:

Lairg Community Centre
Tuesday 18 October
12 – 3pm

What are the challenges for privately owned businesses in the Highlands?
Succession. Sustainability. Generating sales.

What are the challenges for Social Enterprises in the Highlands?
Succession. Sustainability. Generating sales.

This is a free networking lunch with a difference – it’s about bringing together the private sector businesses and social enterprises in rural communities. This event is open to private businesses as well as social enterprises.

Both sectors are involved in developing future enterprise in the local area and there is support available to communities to enable them to develop a plan for an enterprising future.  With examples of communities who have worked together to build on the success of privately owned businesses as well as businesses who use the services of social enterprises, this networking lunch is an opportunity to explore the similarities of working that these organisations are trying to achieve and if there is a way to work together in the future to secure jobs, generate enterprise and support the local economy.

For more information:

Lindsay Dunbar

Events and Communications Officer
81a Castle Street
Inverness
IV2 3EA

T: 01463 715 533
W: www.hisez.co.uk
E: lindsay.dunbar@hisez.co.uk

 

Free Business Start Workshop in Lairg 3/4 November 2011

There's a 2-Day Business Gateway Start-Up Workshop being held in Lairg on 3rd/4th November. This course covers the basics of starting or exploring your venture in an informal but informative way. 

For further information click here and, to book, contact Lesley Allan

More Sutherland Food Businesses in the News - Part Three

The Crannag Bistro in Bonar Bridge is shortlisted in the Final of the Highlands & Islands Food Awards Restaurant of the Year  - and if that wasn't enough, Lucy Midgely-Smith, daughter of Crannag's owners, has been shortlisted in the Young Ambassador category. 

Good Luck to them  - and also to Saladworx who are shortlisted in three categories.

Sutherland Artist Features in Tapestry Showcase

 Joan Baxter, Brora-based tapestry artist has been selected to exhibit at the Tapestry: Four Voices show in Peebles from 15th October to 17th December 2011. The event celebrates the work of four prominent graduates of the Tapestry Dept.of Edinburgh College of Art.

A Simple Guide to Making the Most of Your Website

Business Gateway Highland asked adviser and trainer, Maarten de Vries, to produce a simple guide and checklist for setting up or commisioning a website. This he has done.

 
You can download a PDF of the Guide (260k) here

More Sutherland Food Businesses in the News - Part Two

Golspie Mill, which produces a range of stoneground flours and meals using a traditional watermill. is a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio 4's Food & Farming Awards

The Mill was restored to working-order in 1992, is powered by the Big Burn in Dunrobin Glen and is the base for a thriving retail, whoilesale and online business.

Congratulations and Good Luck to the Golspie Mill team.

More Sutherland Food Businesses in the News - Part One

Andy Waugh and his Wild Game Company are the subject of a major feature in the October 2011 issue of Jamie Oliver's magazine.

Andy was assisted by Business Gateway to launch his business, which sells the best of Sutherland wild produce to the foodies of London.  He also runs a "pop-up" restaurant which is receiving rave reviews in the UK Capital.

The article features Ardgay Game and stunning photography taken at Alladale Wilderness Reserve.

Back to Business

Well, it went a bit quiet for a while but I'm back from leave and ready to go....

Young Enterprise Scotland - Here We Go Again!

 

The Young Enterprise Scotland year is about to kick off. It comes around faster every year. Last night we attended an Induction event for Advisors and Teachers in the Crown Court Hotel, Inverness and heard about the exciting events coming up in 2011/2012.

Highland students normally do very well in this competition (see, for example, earlier posts about Farr High School). However, there is still a need for business-sector Advisors; either for the duration of the competition or just to provide some one-off specialist advice to enthusiastic and committed would-be enterpreneurs.

If anyone wants to offer their services, contact Area Co-ordinator, Linda Thomas (Email)

Just Enterprise - For All your Social Enterprise Needs

Just Enterprise is a new access portal for all enquiries regarding support for Social Enterprises.  In addition to plenty of online information, the site will link clients to the most appropriate form of assistance, funding, training etc. and help guide them through the often confusing support network. 

"Just Enterprise is a new consortium bringing together Scotland's key social enterprise support agencies to provide business support and development services to Enterprising Third Sector Organisations across Scotland. Its principal role is to deliver the Scottish Government's contract for Business Support to the Enterprising Third Sector. In doing so, the focus of the consortium is to ensure an enterprising third sector can grow sustainably in the challenging economic conditions expected in coming years.

The Just Enterprise consortium consists of CEiS, HISEZ, Firstport, the Social Enterprise Academy, Forth Sector Development, Community Enterprise Ltd, CEMVO Scotland, Lanarkshire Enterprise Services, Ready for Business and Inspiralba."

Here's the link:   Just Enterprise

Sutherland Businesses in the News: Sutherland Savoury Oatcakes

Bob Christie & Sandra Callus of Sutherland Savoury Oatcakes (pic: Clive Grewcock)

Congratulations (again) to Bob Christie of Sutherland Savoury Oatcakes in getting their perfect product into a hamper as part of the inaugural flight from Inverness to Amsterdam.  Along with chocolates from Durness-based Cocoa Mountain,  the oatcakes were part of a selection which represented some of the best produce from across the Highlands.

Here's a link to the Northern Times article: Link

Sutherland Businesses in the News - Leigh Sedgley

Leigh Sedgley (pic: Euan Callus)

Sutherland businesses continue to feature in news releases.  There's a great article in the Press & Journal about "Living the Dream", Leigh Sedgely's burger van situated on the spectacular clifftop at Stoer. (However, it's difficult for any article to do justice to Leigh's bacon rolls!).

Here's a link to the P&J Article: Link

Bye Bye, David

David Owen, Highland Opportunity's Company Manager, left us last week at a small lunch attended by Highland Opportunity staff  - where he was presented with a token of our respect for what he has achieved over the past ten years. Highland Opportunity has thrived under his leadership and is a major player in many forms of enterprise support across the Highland region.

David 's retirement, however, doesn't  mean gardening, pipe and slippers but will involve him using his considerable experience and entrepreneurial skills to develop new opportunities in the North of Scotland.  We wish him every success and know that we will be working with him in the future.